Ocean County’s COVID-19 Testing Site to Remain at OCC

County officials announced Friday that a testing site for coronavirus patients will remain at Ocean County College rather than move to the county’s fire training center in Waretown.

Health Department officials made the announcement Friday afternoon.

A final walk through at the Training Center resulted in some logistical issues being discovered causing the County not to use the Training Center for the drive thru test site.

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“While the Training Center provided an inside venue, following this review, these logistical issues cannot be addressed in time for the end of this emergency declaration,” said Ocean County Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye. “Therefore it was determined it would be best to continue the testing operations at the college.

Operations at the drive-through testing site at the college we’re going smoothly, health official said, but had to be cut short one day due to foul weather. That prompted officials to look for an indoor site.

“The college operations have gone smoothly, the traffic flow is good and we are doing well there,” Regenye said.

Regenye said the test requirements have not changed.He also emphasized that anyone getting the test shouldcontinue self-isolating after receiving it.

“If you have symptoms, you should be returning home immediately after being tested and continue self- quarantining,” he said. “If you have the coronavirus you will be spreading it if you are not isolating.”

Test appointments will continue to be held onMondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and are scheduled in advance for Ocean County residents. The college site will continue to operate 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 

So far, a total of 1,955 Ocean County citizens were tested for the coronavirus at the college testing site. Of those tests, 1,574 results have been returned. Just under 30 percent of the tests have been positive.

“Because of the limited number of tests we have, it still remains imperative that people follow the requirements to be tested at the training center,” Regenye said. “We do not want anyone to show up at this testing site without following the requirements we have put in place. We are not going to do any health screenings at the site. It is just for testing for the virus.” 

Ocean County Health Department officials are reminding residents of the requirements to be tested include:

The health department has suggested residents seeking a test should consider obtaining a prescription via telemedicine through the county’s hospital providers.

The telemedicine services at the hospitals can be accessed at: